Modified blackjack game

ABSTRACT

A method for playing a modified blackjack game between a dealer and at least one player. Each player places an first wager, the outcome of which is determined by conventional rules of blackjack. Players may optionally place additional wagers corresponding to an initial hand of two cards dealt to the player comprising a pair, two cards of the same suit and/or two cards of the same suit and same denomination. After the dealer has dealt a player placing an additional wager a second card from one or more standard decks of playing cards, the player&#39;s two card hand is compared to the additional wager and an amount of the additional wager is collected or a predetermined multiple of the additional wager is paid out.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.10/862,211 filed Jun. 7, 2004, and also a continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 10/884,098 filed on Jul. 2, 2004, and also acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/929,670 filed on Aug.30, 2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of casino gaming. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a variation or modification ofthe card game known as blackjack or twenty-one wherein one or moreplayers may place additional or side bets, the outcomes of which aredependent on the suit and/or value of an initial hand of two cards dealtto a player.

2. The Prior Art

Blackjack or twenty-one is a well-known casino card game which istypically played with one or more standard decks of 52 playing cards.The playing cards comprise two colors, black and red, and four suits,spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds. The suits of spades and clubs aretypically black in color and the suits of hearts and diamonds aretypically red in color. Each numbered card (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and10) is assigned a point value equal to its number. Face cards (kings,queens, and jacks)are assigned a point value of ten. Aces are assigned apoint value of either one or eleven at the discretion of a playerholding a hand which includes an ace. A standard deck of 52 playingcards may be supplemented by one or more joker cards. A joker may beassigned the same values as an ace.

Typically, blackjack is played on a table having a straight edge behindwhich a dealer stands and a semi-circular edge around which one or moreplayers are positioned. The maximum number of players at a table may be,for example, seven. The blackjack table may have a top surface coveredwith felt or another material which is imprinted with various indicia.These various indicia may include text describing basic and house rulesof play and may indicate areas where players' cards are to be dealt andwhere players' bets are to be placed.

The object of blackjack is for a player to accumulate a hand of cardswhich has a point total exceeding that of the blackjack dealer, withoutexceeding twenty-one. Numbered cards have a point value which equalstheir number value. Face cards (kings, queens, and jacks) are assigned apoint value of ten and aces are assigned a point value of either one oreleven as determined by the person holding the hand including one ormore aces. A two-card hand having a point total of twenty-one is knownas blackjack.

Blackjack play is commenced by a player making an initial wager or beton the outcome of the upcoming hand. An amount of this initial bet, alsoknown as an ante, may be regulated between a minimum and maximum amountset by the casino or house for the particular table of play. Playerstypically indicate their bet or wager by placing an appropriate numberof chips or markers, each of which has a designated value or valuesassigned to it, in a designated area of the blackjack table.

Following the placing of bets or wagers, the dealer deals cards to eachplayer and to himself or herself. Each player and the dealer areinitially dealt two cards. Each of the players' cards may be dealt faceup. The dealer's initial two cards are typically dealt one face up andone face down. The dealer generally deals one card to each player inturn, starting from the dealer's left and proceeding to the dealer'sright. The dealer then deals a card to himself or herself and proceedsto deal a second card to each player, again moving from left to rightand to himself or herself.

After the dealer and the players have been dealt an initial hand of twocards, each player in turn elects to receive one or more additionalcards (“hit”) or to take no additional cards (“stand”). A player mayelect to take additional cards until they decide to stand or until thepoint total of the player's hand exceeds twenty-one, known as “busting.”Once all players have either received their desired number of cards orhave busted, the dealer elects to take additional cards or to stand.Under most rules, a dealer is not permitted to receive additional cardsif the dealer's existing hand has a total point value of seventeen orgreater and a dealer is required to take an additional card if thedealer's existing hand has a point total of less than seventeen.

Once all of the players and the dealer have either received a desirednumber of cards or have busted, the outcome of the game is determined. Aplayer wins if either the dealer's point total exceeds twenty-one (i.e.the dealer busts) or if the player's point total exceeds the dealer'spoint total for a particular hand. In either event, the winning playeris paid an amount equal to his or her initial bet in addition toreceiving his or her initial bet back. If the dealer's hand exceeds thatof a player's or if a player busts, that player loses and forfeits hisor her bet. If a dealer's point total for a hand equals that of aplayer, a tie or push is declared and that player receives his or herinitial bet back.

The conventional game of blackjack described above has been supplementedwith a number of alternative betting procedures, including insurance,doubling down, and splitting pairs. Additionally, various methods orprocedures relating to variations on or modifications of a conventionalblackjack game are disclosed in the following references, the disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,861,041to Jones et al.; 5,836,586 to Marks et al.; 5,863,042 to Lo; 5,934,675to Handelman et al.; 6,113,102 to Marks et al.; 6,394,456 to Long;6,450,500 to Miller; 6,485,020 to Broadnax; 6,536,767 to Keller;6,692,003 to Potter et al.; and U.S. Patent Publication Nos.2003/0222400 to Collins et al.; 2003/0218303 to Walker et al.; and2003/0057648 to Webb.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a variation on or modification of the game ofblackjack or twenty-one which can be based on any blackjack ortwenty-one game. More particularly, the invention relates to a variationor modification of the card game known as blackjack or twenty-onewherein one or more players may place additional or side bets, theoutcomes of which are dependent on the suit and/or denomination of aninitial hand of two cards dealt to a player.

In a method according to an embodiment of the invention, a modifiedblackjack game is played between at least one player and a dealer usingat least one standard deck of playing cards. Each player places a firstwager in order to become eligible to participate in the blackjack game.The outcome of the first wager is determined in accordance withconventional rules of a blackjack play and is dependant upon the finalhands of cards drawn by the dealer and the individual player placing thefirst wager.

Each player may optionally place one or more additional wagers or sidebets. The additional wager may correspond to an initial hand of twocards dealt to a wagering player comprising two cards of the same suit,two cards of the same denomination (a pair), and/or two cards of thesame suit and denomination (a suited pair).

A first additional wager location may be provided. The first additionalwager location may be disposed in a vicinity of at least one player andcorresponds to a two card hand comprising a pair. At least one playerplace a first additional wager by placing one or more wagering devicesin the first additional wager location.

A first card is dealt to each player and to the dealer and a second cardis dealt to each player. An initial hand of two cards dealt to theplayer placing a first additional wager is evaluated to determine if thehand comprises a pair. If the hand does not comprise a pair, an amountof the first additional wager is collected from the player placing thefirst additional wager. If the hand does comprise a pair, apredetermined multiple of the amount of said first additional wager ispaid to the player placing the first additional wager.

A second card is dealt to the dealer the blackjack game is completedaccording to conventional rules of play.

A second additional wager location may be provided. The secondadditional wager location may be disposed in a vicinity of at least oneplayer and corresponds to a two card hand comprising two cards of thesame suit. At least one player places a second additional wager byplacing one or more wagering devices in the second additional wagerlocation.

An initial hand of two cards dealt to the player placing a secondadditional wager is evaluated to determine if the hand comprises twocards of the same suit. If the hand does not comprise two cards of thesame suit, an amount of the second additional wager is collected fromthe player placing the second additional wager. If the hand doescomprise two cards of the same suit, a predetermined multiple of theamount of the second additional wager is paid to the player placing thesecond additional wager. A greater predetermined multiple of an amountof the second additional wager may be paid if the initial hand of twocards dealt to the player placing the second additional wager comprisestwo cards of the same suit and comprises a blackjack hand.

A third additional wager location may be provided. The third additionalwager location may be disposed in a vicinity of at least one player andcorresponds to a two card hand comprising two cards of the same suit anddenomination. At least one player places a third additional wager byplacing one or more wagering devices in the third additional wagerlocation.

An initial hand of two cards dealt to the player placing a thirdadditional wager is evaluated to determine if the hand comprises twocards of the same suit and denomination. If the hand does not comprisetwo cards of the same suit and denomination, an amount of the thirdadditional wager is collected from the player placing the thirdadditional wager. If the hand does comprise two cards of the same suitand denomination, a predetermined multiple of the amount of the thirdadditional wager is paid to the player placing the third additionalwager.

One or more of the first, second and third additional wager locationsmay be positioned over and adhered to an existing blackjack gamesurface.

An advantage of a modified blackjack game according to an embodiment ofthe invention is that a player is given an option to place additionalwagers or side bets corresponding to the suit and denomination of thefirst two cards dealt to that player, wherein the option to placeadditional wagers increases player interest and casino revenue. A gameaccording to an embodiment of the invention may be based on anyblackjack or twenty-one game. Other advantages of a modified blackjackgame according to an embodiment of the invention are that the modifiedgame is simple to learn and play and that the outcome of an additionalwager is independent of an outcome of a first wager, thereby providing aplayer with increased possibilities for winning in a particular game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other benefits and features of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood,however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and notas a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similarelements:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a playing surface which can be used to play amodified blackjack game according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a playing surface which can be used to play amodified blackjack game according to another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a player location which can be used to play amodified blackjack game according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a player location which can be used to play amodified blackjack game according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a player location which can be used to play amodified blackjack game according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a player location which can be used to play amodified blackjack game according to an embodiment of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now in detail to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows a top view of a topsurface of a blackjack table which can be used to play a modifiedblackjack game according to an embodiment of the invention.

One or more players, for example six players, sit or stand adjacent to afront, semi-circular portion of a blackjack table. A dealer ispositioned behind a back edge of the table, facing the one or moreplayers.

One or more first wager locations 10 are provided for players to make afirst wager in order to be eligible to participate in a particular gameor round of play. A player may indicate a first wager by placing one ormore chips, markers, or other wagering devices in a first wager location10 associated with that player. Each chip or marker may have apredetermined value. The amount of a first wager which a player may makefor a particular game or table may be regulated between certain maximumand minimum values by a casino or other authority. An outcome of eachplayer's first wager is determined at the conclusion of a particulargame in accordance with conventional rules of blackjack play bycomparing a player's final hand total point value to a dealer's finalhand total point value.

One or more first additional wager locations 21 are provided for playersto make an additional wager which corresponds to an initial hand of twocards dealt to a player making an additional wager comprising two cardsof the same denomination, known as a pair. The placing of an additionalwager may be optional, and a player may elect not to place an additionalwager in a particular game or round of play and still participate inthat particular game or round of play provided the player has made afirst wager.

As shown in FIGS. 3-6, first additional wager locations 21 may include alegend or visual indication relating to the associated wager, forexample the word “PAIR” may be included within first additional wagerlocation 21.

A player electing to make a first additional wager may indicate a firstadditional wager by placing one or more wagering devices, such as chipsor markers, within a first additional wager location 21 associated withthat player. The amount of an additional wager which a player may placefor a particular game or table may be regulated between certain maximumand minimum values by a casino or other authority.

As shown in FIG. 1, one or more second additional wager locations 22 maybe provided for players to make a second additional wager whichcorresponds to an initial hand of two cards dealt to a player making asecond additional wager comprising two cards of the same suit. Theplacing of this additional wager may be optional, and a player may electnot to place an additional wager in a particular game or round of playand still participate in that particular game or round of play providedthe player has made a first wager.

As shown in FIGS. 3-6, second additional wager locations 22 may includea legend or visual indication relating to the associated wager, forexample the word “SUIT” may be included within second additional wagerlocation 22.

A player electing to make a second additional wager may indicate asecond additional wager by placing one or more wagering devices, such aschips or markers, within a second additional wager location 22associated with that player. The amount of a second additional wagerwhich a player may place for a particular game or table may be regulatedbetween certain maximum and minimum values by a casino or otherauthority.

As shown in FIG. 2, one or more third additional wager locations 20 maybe provided for players to make a third additional wager whichcorresponds to an initial hand of two cards dealt to a player making athird additional wager comprising two cards of the same suit anddenomination, known as a suited pair. Such a hand is possible only whentwo or more decks are being used in a particular game or round. Theplacing of this additional wager may be optional, and a player may electnot to place an additional wager in a particular game or round of playand still participate in that particular game or round of play providedthe player has made a first wager.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, third additional wager locations 20 mayinclude a legend or visual indication relating to the associated wager,for example the phrase “SUITED PAIR” may be included within thirdadditional wager location 20.

A player electing to make a third additional wager may indicate a thirdadditional wager by placing one or more wagering devices, such as chipsor markers, within a third additional wager location 20 associated withthat player. The amount of a third additional wager which a player mayplace for a particular game or table may be regulated between certainmaximum and minimum values by a casino or other authority.

Following the placing of first and any additional wagers, a dealer dealsa card to each player who has made a first wager in succession from leftto right and a card to the dealer himself or herself. Next, the dealerdeals a second card to each player who has received a first card and tothe dealer himself or herself. Cards may be dealt from one or morestandard decks of 52 cards, preferably from six to eight standard decks.Each card dealt to a player is dealt face up. After a player electing tomake a first, second and/or third additional wager has received a secondcard, and prior to any succeeding player or the dealer receiving asecond card, an outcome of that player's additional wagers is determinedand settled. All additional wagers may be settled after a player makingan additional wager receives a second card and prior to any succeedingplayer or the dealer receiving a second card.

For example, a player may place a first wager by placing one or morechips in first wager location 10 and a first additional wager by placingone or more chips in first additional wager location 21. The player'sfirst additional wager corresponds to an initial two card handcomprising a pair. After the player receives a second card, thatplayer's initial two card hand is evaluated. If the two card hand is apair, for example two jacks, that player is paid a predeterminedmultiple of the amount of the player's first additional wager. If thetwo card hand is not a pair, for example a jack and a four, the playerforfeits an amount equal to that player's first additional wager whichmay be collected by the dealer after the player has received a secondcard.

For example the player making a first additional wager who draws a pairmay be paid at a ratio of fifteen (15) times the amount of the firstadditional wager if one standard deck of cards is used, thirteen (13)times the amount of the first additional wager if two standard decks ofcards are used and twelve (12) times the amount of the first additionalwager if three standard decks of cards are used. The payout ratios willpreferably be reduced as more decks of cards are used as the odds ofobtaining a pair are increased. These ratios are exemplary only and theactual payout ratios may be set by the casino or other authority.

In addition, to or as an alternative to placing a first additionalwager, a player may place a second additional wager by placing one ormore chips in second additional wager location 22. This additional wagercorresponds to an initial two card hand comprising two card of the samesuit. After the player receives a second card, that player's initial twocard hand is evaluated. If the two card hand comprises two cards of thesame suit, for example a king of diamonds and a two of diamonds, thatplayer is paid a predetermined multiple of the amount of the player'sadditional wager. If the two card hand does not consist of two cards ofthe same suit, for example a king of diamonds and a two of clubs, theplayer forfeits an amount equal to that player's additional wager whichmay be collected by the dealer after the player has received a secondcard.

For example the player making a second additional wager who draws twocards of the same suit may be paid at a ratio of two (2) times theamount of the additional wager if one standard deck of cards is used.This payout ratio will preferably be reduced as more decks of cards areused as the odds of obtaining two cards of the same suit are increased.This ratios is exemplary only and the actual payout ratios may be set bythe casino or other authority.

Additionally, in another embodiment of the invention, a player placingan additional wager in second additional wager location 22 may be paid agreater predetermined multiple of an amount of their wager if they drawan initial two card hand comprising a blackjack hand (a two card handwith a total point value of 21) and both cards are of the same suit. Forexample, the player making a second additional wager who draws a twocard hand comprising a suited blackjack hand, for example an ace ofhearts and a jack of hearts may be paid at a ratio of twenty five (25)times the amount of the additional wager. This payout ratio may bereduced as more decks of cards are used as the odds of obtaining asuited blackjack hand are increased. This ratio is exemplary only andthe actual payout ratios may be set by the casino or other authority.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, second additional wager location may bear alegend or visual indicator associated with this enhanced payout, forexample the phrase “BLACKJACK BONUS” may be printed within or in thevicinity of second additional wager location 22.

In addition to or as an alternative to placing a first and/or secondadditional wager, a player may place a third additional wager by placingone or more chips in third additional wager location 20. This additionalwager corresponds to an initial two card hand comprising two cards ofthe same suit and denomination, known as a suited pair. After the playerreceives a second card, that player's initial two card hand isevaluated. If the two card hand comprises two cards of the same suit anddenomination, for example a five of spades and another five of spades,that player is paid a predetermined multiple of the amount of theplayer's additional wager. If the two card hand does not consist of twocards of the same suit and denomination, for example a five of spadesand a five of clubs, the player forfeits an amount equal to thatplayer's additional wager which may be collected by the dealer after theplayer has received a second card. The suited pair result is possibleonly in blackjack games wherein more than one standard decks of playingcards are being used simultaneously. As with the other additionalwagers, the payout may be reduced as more decks of cards are used andmay be set by the casino or other authority.

After any additional wagers are settled, a game may be completedaccording to conventional rules of blackjack play. An outcome of anyadditional wagers or side bets may be independent of a final total pointvalue of either a player or a dealer's hand.

The player locations shown in FIGS. 3-6, including first wager location,first additional wager location, second additional wager location and/orthird additional wager location may be formed as discrete units whichcan be added to an existing conventional blackjack table surface toconvert one or more player locations to be used to play a modifiedblackjack game according to the various embodiments of the invention.For example, each player location and/or individual additional wagerlocations and associated indicia may be printed on a thin felt or othersuitable material which can attached to a portion of a conventionalblackjack table playing surface. The wager locations may be removably orpermanently secured to the conventional surface by heat and pressure,for example by ironing, by adhering with a suitable adhesive, or anyother appropriate process.

Accordingly, while several embodiments of the present invention havebeen shown and described, it is obvious that many changes andmodifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A method for playing a modified blackjack game between at least oneplayer and a dealer, using at least one standard deck of playing cards,the method comprising the steps of: a) having at least one player placea first wager to participate in the blackjack game, wherein an outcomeof said first wager is determined by conventional rules of play; b)providing a first additional wager location disposed in a vicinity of atleast one player, wherein said first additional wager locationcorresponds to a two card hand comprising a pair; c) having at least oneplayer place a first additional wager by placing one or more wageringdevices in said first additional wager location; d) dealing a first cardto each player and to the dealer; e) dealing a second card to the eachplayer; f) determining whether an initial hand of two cards dealt to theplayer placing said first additional wager comprises a pair; g)collecting an amount of said first additional wager if said initial handof two cards dealt to the player placing said first additional wagerdoes not comprise a pair; h) paying a predetermined multiple of saidamount of said first additional wager if said initial hand of two cardsdealt to the player placing said first additional wager comprises apair; i) dealing a second card to the dealer; and j) completing theblackjack game according to conventional rules of play.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the step of providing a first additionalwager location further comprises positioning said first additional wagerlocation over an existing blackjack game surface.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 2, further comprising the step of adhering said firstadditional wager location to the existing blackjack game surface.
 4. Amethod for playing a modified blackjack game between at least one playerand a dealer, using at least one standard deck of playing cards, themethod comprising the steps of: a) having at least one player place afirst wager to participate in the blackjack game, wherein an outcome ofsaid first wager is determined by conventional rules of play; b)providing a first additional wager location disposed in a vicinity of atleast one player, wherein said first additional wager locationcorresponds to a two card hand comprising a pair; c) providing a secondadditional wager location disposed in a vicinity of at least one player,wherein said second additional wager location corresponds to a two cardhand comprising two cards of a same suit; d) having at least one playerplace a first additional wager by placing one or more wagering devicesin said first additional wager location; e) having at least one playerplace a second additional wager by placing one or more wagering devicesin said second additional wager location; f) dealing a first card toeach player and to the dealer; g) dealing a second card to the eachplayer; h) determining whether an initial hand of two cards dealt to theplayer placing said first additional wager comprises a pair; i)collecting an amount of said first additional wager if said initial handof two cards dealt to the player placing said first additional wagerdoes not comprise a pair; j) paying a predetermined multiple of saidamount of said first additional wager if said initial hand of two cardsdealt to the player placing said first additional wager comprises apair; k) determining whether an initial hand of two cards dealt to theplayer placing said second additional wager comprises two cards of thesame suit; l) collecting an amount of said second additional wager ifsaid initial hand of two cards dealt to the player placing said secondadditional wager does not comprise a two cards of the same suit; m)paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said second additionalwager if said initial hand of two cards dealt to the player placing saidsecond additional wager comprises two cards of the same suit; n) dealinga second card to the dealer; and o) completing the blackjack gameaccording to conventional rules of play.
 5. The method according toclaim 4, wherein the steps of providing a first and second additionalwager location further comprises positioning said first and secondadditional wager location over an existing blackjack game surface. 6.The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of adheringsaid first and second additional wager location to the existingblackjack game surface.
 7. The method according to claim 4, wherein thestep of paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of said secondadditional wager further comprises the step of paying a firstpredetermined multiple of said amount of said second additional wager ifsaid initial hand of two cards dealt to the player placing said secondadditional wager comprises two cards of the same suit or paying asecond, greater predetermined multiple of said amount of said secondadditional wager if said initial hand of two cards dealt to the playerplacing said second additional wager comprises two cards of the samesuit and comprises a blackjack hand.
 8. A method for playing a modifiedblackjack game between at least one player and a dealer, using at leasttwo standard decks of playing cards, the method comprising the steps of:a) having at least one player place a first wager to participate in theblackjack game, wherein an outcome of said first wager is determined byconventional rules of play; b) providing a first additional wagerlocation disposed in a vicinity of at least one player, wherein saidfirst additional wager location corresponds to a two card handcomprising a pair; c) providing a second additional wager locationdisposed in a vicinity of at least one player, wherein said secondadditional wager location corresponds to a two card hand comprising twocards of a same suit; d) providing a third additional wager locationdisposed in a vicinity of at least one player, wherein said thirdadditional wager location corresponds to a two card hand comprising twocards of a same suit and a same denomination; e) having at least oneplayer place a first additional wager by placing one or more wageringdevices in said first additional wager location; f) having at least oneplayer place a second additional wager by placing one or more wageringdevices in said second additional wager location; g) having at least oneplayer place a third additional wager by placing one or more wageringdevices in said third additional wager location; h) dealing a first cardto each player and to the dealer; i) dealing a second card to the eachplayer; j) determining whether an initial hand of two cards dealt to theplayer placing said first additional wager comprises a pair; k)collecting an amount of said first additional wager if said initial handof two cards dealt to the player placing said first additional wagerdoes not comprise a pair; l) paying a predetermined multiple of saidamount of said first additional wager if said initial hand of two cardsdealt to the player placing said first additional wager comprises apair; m) determining whether an initial hand of two cards dealt to theplayer placing said second additional wager comprises two cards of thesame suit; n) collecting an amount of said second additional wager ifsaid initial hand of two cards dealt to the player placing said secondadditional wager does not comprise two cards of the same suit; o) payinga predetermined multiple of said amount of said second additional wagerif said initial hand of two cards dealt to the player placing saidsecond additional wager comprises two cards of the same suit; p)determining whether an initial hand of two cards dealt to the playerplacing said third additional wager comprises two cards of the same suitand denomination; q) collecting an amount of said third additional wagerif said initial hand of two cards dealt to the player placing said thirdadditional wager does not comprise a two cards of the same suit anddenomination; r) paying a predetermined multiple of said amount of saidthird additional wager if said initial hand of two cards dealt to theplayer placing said third additional wager comprises two cards of thesame suit and denomination; s) dealing a second card to the dealer; andt) completing the blackjack game according to conventional rules ofplay.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the steps of providinga first, second and third additional wager location further comprisespositioning said first, second and third additional wager location overan existing blackjack game surface.
 10. The method according to claim 9,further comprising the step of adhering said first, second and thirdadditional wager location to the existing blackjack game surface. 11.The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of paying apredetermined multiple of said amount of said second additional wagerfurther comprises the step of paying a first predetermined multiple ofsaid amount of said second additional wager if said initial hand of twocards dealt to the player placing said second additional wager comprisestwo cards of the same suit or paying a second, greater predeterminedmultiple of said amount of said second additional wager if said initialhand of two cards dealt to the player placing said second additionalwager comprises two cards of the same suit and comprises a blackjackhand.